Traveling Waves In A Vibrating String

REALSIMPLE Project¹

Edgar J. Berdahl and Julius O. Smith III

Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), and the
Department of Electrical Engineering
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Abstract:

This laboratory assignment should teach the student how waves propagate in a vibrating string. Illustrated by way of animations, several examples involving various string terminations are presented. This laboratory exercise is considered a prelude to the digital waveguide model laboratory assignment, and the prerequisite assignments are the monochord laboratory assignment, the weighted monochord laboratory assignment, and the harmonics laboratory assignment.

Detailed Contents (and Navigation)

• Introduction
• Summary Of Objectives
• Traveling Waves In A Vibrating String
• Rigid Terminations
• Struck String
• Helmholtz Motion
• Problems
  • Problem #1
  • Problem #2
  • Problem #3
  
  
• Solutions
  • Solution #1
  • Solution #2
  • Solution #3
  
  
• Bibliography
• About this document ...